Sony Linkbuds Open Review: Better battery, smoother sound

Even after finding the right fit, I noticed a darker, fuzzier sound signature than the original pair. This seems to be intentional, as one of the main complaints previously was the lack of bass, which almost all open-back earbuds struggle with. The new buds provide a little more punch in the low frequency range, but at the expense of clarity and presence in the midrange and high range.

Luckily, Sony’s Sound Connect app offers a powerful EQ, and after some tinkering with the Excitement preset, including lowering the clear bass and boosting the midrange a notch or two, I was able to use it for everything from snares to snares, getting more clarity from instrumental attacks and guitars to vocals and brass. I’ve never gotten results as clear and vivid as Bose’s pair, but at $100 less that’s not all that surprising, and I think Sony takes the win on bass.

Open season

You don’t necessarily buy open-back earphones for the sound quality, especially if you’re a picky audiophile like me. They’re more about merging the vibes of your two realities: listening to podcasts or your favorite ’80s playlist while staying connected to the world (and other people). WIRED editor Adrienne So loves open-back earbuds for the gym or other public places where she’s more confident that no one is sneaking up on her.

They’re also great for situations where regular blooms just won’t do. Like my beloved Bose Frames or the Ray-Ban Meta Audio Sunglasses, the Linkbuds are great for riding safely on a bike or e-bike on a clear fall day, where wind shear would naturally overwhelm the tiny microphones in traditional headphones in transparency mode to be on the move.

I was also really amazed at how well the Linkbuds Open suppressed outside noise when making calls. In a recent conversation with my mother, I could barely hear my own voice as I wheeled the dumpsters in from the street, but she barely noticed the roar of the plastic tires that obscured my voice—and she always lets me know when I am too loud.

If I could only afford one pair, I’d still opt for more well-rounded earbuds that can block out or let in ambient noise with noise cancellation or transparency mode, like Apple’s excellent AirPods Pro (8/10, WIRED recommends). I would also consider the cheaper original Linkbuds, but the battery life is rather limited. Otherwise, the Linkbuds Open are a solid new option in this still-evolving segment if you’re looking for a pair that will allow you to naturally stay present in virtually any scenario and not be bothered by the chaos that comes with it.